Commodities less food priced at$20 in 1955→$89.74 in 2017

Historical Price Inflation for Commodities less food

Prices for Commodities Less Food, 1955-2017 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for commodities less food were
348.69% higher
in 2017 versus 1955.

Between 1955 and 2017:Commodities less food experienced an average inflation rate of 2.45% per year.
This rate of change indicates significant inflation.
In other words, commodities less food costing $20 in the year 1955 would cost $89.74 in 2017 for an equivalent purchase.
Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.63% during this same period, inflation for commodities less food was
lower.

In the year 1955: Pricing changed by -0.65%,
significantly below the average yearly
change for commodities less food during the 1955-2017 time period.
Compared to inflation for all items in 1955 (-0.29%), price inflation for commodities less food was
lower.

Price Inflation for Commodities less food since 1935

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing:
1980 (13.81%),
1947 (12.59%),
and 1979 (11.64%).

Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Commodities less food:

How to calculate the inflation rate for commodities less food, 1955-2017

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2017 / CPI in 1955* 1955 USD value = 2017 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Commodities less food was 33.560 in the year 1955 and 150.580 in 2017:

150.580 / 33.560* $20 = $89.74

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 1955 has the same "purchasing power" as $89.74 in 2017 (in the category of Commodities less food).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Commodities less food in 1935. In addition to commodities less food, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of other goods and services.